Kandy continues winning streak

Tharinda Ratwatte avoids a Police tackle 

Diluksha Dange on the move

By Shamzeer Jaleel in Kandy

Kandy Sports Club continued their unbeaten run in the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) conducted Inter Club League 2022, when they beat Police Sports Club by 36 points (five tries, four conversions, one penalty) to 23 points (three tries, one conversion, two penalties) at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.

At the short breather, Kandy led 24/6.

Police SC dominated proceedings in the early stages of the game but Kandy hit back late in the first half through their speedy three quarters to score three unanswered tries. After the turn around too, Kandy dominated the early stages, but their forwards looked lethargic in the later part of the second half which cost them three quick tries scored by the Cops to make a comeback in the game. But Kandy defense was too strong, as they continued their unbeaten run for yet another week. Now they will play the two postponed games against Army SC (away) and Havelock SC (home) in the next two weekends.

Police SC drew first blood through their fly half, Yohan Peiris who was on target with a penalty kick in the third minute of the game. Yohan was once more on target with their second penalty to take a 6/0 lead. But Kandy hit back through Tharinda Ratwatte penalty and Chathura Soysa try plus conversion by Tharinda Ratwatte. Another two more quick Kandy tries by Kandy SC forward, Lasith Attanagoda and Sanushka Abeywickrema with Ratwatte converting both allowed the home team to take the short breather favoring them at 24/6.

After the turn around Kandy scored through their winger, Diluksha Dange (2) with Ratwatte converting one of them. Cops scored their late burst three tries through the same fashion of play by their forwards in a rush. Nishan Samadhi, Danushka Edisuriya and Adeesha Handunpathirage scored for them. Peiris was successful in one of the conversions. In the second half, two of the Kandy players, Heshan Kalhara and Praveen Charles received “Yellow Card” for foul play.

Referee Dilum Dheeshana had a grand game controlling it very well.